“popcorn lung”).
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Does Microwave Popcorn Cause Cancer?
PFCs were widely used because they resist grease and prevent oil seepage in microwaveable containers.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
The risk is thought to increase over time as PFCs accumulate in body tissues.
PFOA is listed as a “possiblecarcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
What Is Popcorn Lung?
The cause was traced to inhalation of diacetyl, a chemical that gave microwave popcorn its buttery flavor.
Even so, double-check the product label to ensure that diacetyl is not an ingredient.
Does Microwave Popcorn Have Other Health Risks?
Saturated Fat
Popcorn is a low-calorie, high-fiber snack that you could eat in moderation every day.
Without toppings, 3 cups of air-popped popcorn contains only 95 calories and 0.2 grams of sugar.
It also delivers 3 grams of protein, 3 grams of fiber, and 19 grams of carbohydrates.
Only 0.015 grams are “unhealthy” saturated fat.
Saturated fat is unhealthy because it raises your “bad"LDL cholesterollevel.
High LDL independently increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Sodium
Another ingredient in microwave popcorn to watch for is sodium.
The problem with microwave popcorn is that the buttery flavorants are almost invariably high in sodium.
Sodium affects blood pressure by drawing water into your bloodstream.
By consuming too much, the increased volume of water can cause your blood pressure to rise.
There areother ways to make popcorn healthierto eat.
To reduce your risk, either choose “light” microwave popcorn or use an air popper.
You should also go light on the salt and butter, or skip them altogether.
American Cancer Society.Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), and related chemicals.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.About flavoring-related lung disease.
New York Times.Microwave popcorn to omit a risky chemical.
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Listing of specific substances affirmed as GRAS: Sec.
U.S. Department of Agriculture FoodData Central.Air-popped popcorn.
University of Rochester Medical Center.Nutrition facts; snacks, popcorn, air-popped, 1 cup.
American Heart Association.Why should I limit sodium?
American Heart Association.Popcorn as a snack: Healthy hit or dietary horror show?
American Heart Association.Health threats from high blood pressure.
